Thinking of selling the old girl...

[pmcburney]

I reckon I've come to the realisation that, especially as I get older, I'm probably not cut out to ride MX.

So... I'll soon be putting my '81 495 up for sale:







It's fully restored and is running well with wear and tear expected of a season's worth of racing, i.e. some marks on the frame, a couple of stone chips and a bit of surface rust on the pipe.

Is there a bit of interest around at the moment for The Great White?

Are they fetching decent money or has everyone moved on?

Should I hang on to it as a collectible or have they had their day?

Does anyone here wanna buy it before I release it to the eBay and/or Gumtree hordes ?


Any opinions greatly appreciated
Cheers
Paul

[William Doe]

That's a great looking bike 

You say your probably not cut out to ride MX , is that deduced from racing the great white ?

Don't right yourself off from the sport if this is your only experience racing it on a monster like this .

Consider giving it a go on a 250 sometimes less is more especially when in comes to CC = fun

That really is a lovely example and you would sell it easily I reckon .

Whatever you choose to do good luck , but I don't like to hear im not cut out for MX as I believe everyone is. Its just what you want to get out of MX and how you approach it that defines how you will see the sport .   

[Nathan S]

Wise words from Mr Doe.

I've ridden a slightly newer 495 and absolutely could not get my head around it. Not that it was a bad bike, but it just didn't suit me at all.

Big 2Ts will always find loving homes. You might not get as much as you hope (and almost certainly less than it cost to get to that standard!) but it's definitely not something you'll have to give away.

[Rossvickicampbell]

awesome bike and at the right time would of pulled a mint because of exclusivity and reputation - however market appears/is down at the moment so couldn't even guess at a price but looking at it certainly no where near the effort gone into it.

Would be nice sitting in the shed.

[HL500]

PM sent

Regards

John

[Blackjack]

Im interested if you are considering selling.

[Slakewell]

Very tidy example, is that a Lewis pipe?
Awesome bike with a realistic reputation for brutal horsepower .
If you like Kato's try a 78/79 400 a very different bike altogether before you hang up your MX boots. 

[Hoony]

beautiful Machine, i have always had a thing for the white Kato's and riding your model is on my bucket list.

Don't sell it unless you need the room or the money, its a classic.

and the market is not strong as i reckon it's hit the peak a few years back and i reckon it will never recover, its a supply demand thing.

[GD66]

Don't sell it unless you need the room or the money, its a classic.

Good call, mate. Those things are near-mythical, Chris Oldfield and another bloke roadraced one in the early 80s at Winton and got right amongst the quick lads on that tight little track. And this one looks pretty good, so hang onto it if poss.....

[Mike52]

Sweet sweet bike. Keep it for the grandkids.
Teach them the meaning of terror.

[pmcburney]

Very tidy example, is that a Lewis pipe?
Awesome bike with a realistic reputation for brutal horsepower .
If you like Kato's try a 78/79 400 a very different bike altogether before you hang up your MX boots.

Yep, that's a LBR pipe.


It's the 'big bertha' design, with the longer header section for more torque.

I should have got it nickel-plated - it looks a bit second-hand at the moment because of the surface rust.

[Paulos]

Very tidy example, is that a Lewis pipe?
Awesome bike with a realistic reputation for brutal horsepower .
If you like Kato's try a 78/79 400 a very different bike altogether before you hang up your MX boots.

Yep, that's a LBR pipe.


It's the 'big bertha' design, with the longer header section for more torque.

I should have got it nickel-plated - it looks a bit second-hand at the moment because of the surface rust.

No way! You made the right decision first up, it looks awesome in bare metal.

Great looking bike all round.

At the end of the day, if you really don't like riding it you should move it on. There are plenty of bikes out there that are easier to ride, so you'll end up faster and less shagged as well.

[DR500]

I rode one of them in 1982, when i was 20 and it was a handful then. Great bike.

[Tony.Brown]

Sweet sweet bike. Keep it for the grandkids.
Teach them the meaning of terror.

Hahaha, must remember that for my grandkids, I don't think a 400WR Husky will instil the sheer terror of a 495 though!

[fireyglen]

Id love to own that beasty.